Mean Girl Moment 10/4

The Only Correct Take(s) on Chappell Roan

In the best few weeks, everyone’s favorite lesbian has been making a few enemies. Chappell’s Roan rollercoaster is not only going downhill, but speeding off the tracks. . She’s had her share of controversies over the past few weeks and I’m going to lay out the correct takes on all of them so you all can repeat them to sound smart and nuanced.

Controversy #1: Cancelling European Shows to go to the VMAs.

Verdict: You Go Girl!

What would you do? Another show on your endless tour in some podunk backwater city like Paris or a chance to cement your legacy and assert your artistry. It’s not a difficult decision and Chappell executed well. It was a great debut VMAs performance and earned her at least a mention in Great VMA debuts, if not simply great VMA performances. Even if she becomes a One Year Wonder, she’ll always have that VMA performance as a show of her talent and a hint at how big this project can get. Paris can wait.

Controversy #2: Yelling at the Photographers on the VMAs Red Carpet

Verdict: She can do better.

I find myself in the middle of the two main takes here. She is ungrateful and erratic and should not yell at the photographers on the red carpet or She is a Diva (positive) and should be allowed to yell back at the people yelling at her. I want to support Diva-hood in all it’s forms but with Chappell, its never coming from a place of confidence. I don’t see a Mariah Carey who speaks from her reality and molds ours around it. I see someone clawing for control. Someone who wants to be seen as a person who can get away with anything. We’ve seen celebs push back against red carpet photographers before with a little more tact. There’s a million ways to come off as a powerful and in control of your image and celebrity, yelling back as a snap judgement is not one of them. It’s also not a behavior I think we should reward. I want to see Chappell in charge, and being reactive is not how she gets her power back.

Controversy #3: The Pop Crave Excerpt

Verdict: Everyone is Wrong.